Talk Wisdom's goal is to defend the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith. We defend our Constitutional Republic and Charters of Freedom, especially when speaking out against destructive social and political issues. As followers of our Savior and Lord, we should boldly stand up for Jesus Christ in our present circumstances. He is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world – now.

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Yesterday’s post is just one example of the difference between man’s human wisdom vs. “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (see 1 Corinthians 2:4)

When we read and study the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 2 we see and understand “the spirit of this world” vs. “the Spirit who is from God that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” (See 1 Corinthians 2:12)

The Bible teaches us to “speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy [fn] Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (see 1 Corinthians 2:13)

Paul goes on to instruct us: “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

This is why those who are spiritually discerned can think that there is nothing wrong with homosexual behavior (or any other type of sin). It appears to be “foolishness to him.” And, as the verse above states, “nor can he know them.”

Paul concludes the chapter with:

1Co 2:15

But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

1Co 2:16

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” [fn] But we have the mind of Christ.

Having the “mind of Christ” means that the indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to discern good from evil. Even as Christians, we may not want to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit within on certain issues, but the guidance is there for us to behold and utilize if our free will allows it to sink in.

Years ago at my former blog I wrote a blog post entitled “Recognizing Spiritual Delusion.” It contains important information for every Christian believer who may be struggling with the secular tug-of-war between human wisdom vs. God’s wisdom in the Bible.

The essay discusses the rise of false prophets and the increase of spiritual delusion that will take place the closer we get to the end times.

Once born again in Jesus Christ, it is ESSENTIAL for Christians to study God’s Word so that they will not fall into such spiritual delusion and thus be taken away into heresy and apostasy.

It is my hope and prayer that visitors here will take the time to read this essay!

When it comes to studying and understanding the “shadow of coming events” predicted and prophesied in the Bible, no one does a better, more accurate job of communicating exactly what Scripture reveals than Dr. Ed Hindson. If you go to that website and read his impressive resume’, you will, without a doubt, see how knowledgeable he is regarding end times events, Scriptural truth, and biblical prophecy.

One chapter, in Dr. Hindson’s book Antichrist Rising, has stood out in my mind over the past few days. It is the chapter called, “Rise of False Prophets.” The Bible informs us that false prophets and teachers have always been with us. Knowing God’s Word is essential to being able to spot them. We are warned, however, that as the end times draw closer and closer, there will be a rise of false prophets in the world. So, how do we recognize them and most importantly, avoid being caught up in their deception?

According to the Old Testament (OT), we are told that true prophets of God must do three things in order to be considered genuine:

1. must speak in the name of the Lord, not some other god.

2. must have a message that is in accord with God’s revealed truth in Scripture.

3. must give predictions of future events that come true exactly as stated.

One of the most scathing denunciations of false prophets in all of Scripture is delivered by the prophet Jeremiah. In his time, Jeremiah had to deal constantly with false prophets who opposed his ministry, contradicted his message, and even conspired to have him killed. They kept telling the leaders of Jerusalem that the people had nothing to fear from the Babylonian invaders, but Jeremiah knew differently. Jerusalem was on the verge of destruction, and the people were about to be taken into captivity for 70 years.

“My heart is broken within me,” Jeremiah confesses in his agony over these false prophets who “…follow an evil course and use their power unjustly” (Jeremiah 23:9,10). “Both prophet and priest are godless,” the Lord responds (23:11). Then He tells Jeremiah His opinion of these false prophets:

Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD (verse 16).

I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied (verse 21).

I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, “I had a dream! I had a dream!” How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? (verse 25)

Yes…I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues….Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams….Because every man’s own word becomes his oracle and so you distort the words of the living God, the LORD Almighty, our God (verses 31, 32, 36).

Jeremiah could not make his complaint any clearer or his case any stronger. God is against those false prophets whose spiritual delusion causes them to invent their own message apart from God’s truth. The Bible presents these people in seven categories…

Before I post those categories, I want to mention a few things that are crucial to this message.

In OT times, the Holy Spirit of God would “come, minister, and then depart from” the prophets of old. Any basic study of the Bible would bear this fact out. The fact that God is depicted as “being with a prophet or person,” but then “leaving that prophet or person” shows this to be true. He is often called, “The Spirit of God” for “The Spirit of the LORD.” For example:

Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Jdg 3:10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

Today, the Holy Spirit works both outside, in the world to influence the unsaved towards repentance and acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior; as well as inside each saved believer. When a person is born-again (see John 3), the Holy Spirit resides within the heart of each believer. According to the Bible, Jesus told us that on the day of Pentecost, He would send a Helper for the disciples (and for us today as well):

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Notice that Jesus mentions we must ask for the Holy Spirit to indwell us. After repentance of our sins, we ask Jesus Christ into our hearts and he resides there in the form of the Holy Spirit. Jesus refers to Him as “another Comforter.”

Jhn 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Jhn 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Jhn 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Jhn 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

When Jesus was here, physically on earth during his 3 year ministry, he could only be present in one place at a time. After defeating evil, sin and death on the cross for the sins of the world, and His subsequent resurrection to life, he ascended to the Father and now resides at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The Comforter (Holy Spirit) can be in all places at all times and thus indwells each believer in Christ.
We are then promised that He will never leave nor forsake us.

Hbr 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

This is why, no matter what happens to us on this earth, we can have the peace that surpasses all understandingprecisely because we belong to Jesus! We can have absolute faith in Him! He’s such an awesome Savior and Lord!

Now, back to the topic of this post.

I left off just before sharing the seven categories that false prophets and teachers can fall into:

Hindson:

1. Self-deceived. Some false teachers may be sincere, but they are still wrong. They have deceived themselves into believing their messages are true. As Jeremiah points out, their messages come psychologically from within their own minds and are not from God.

This is why I have stressed the point that the Holy Spirit of God will not lead you into thinking that contradicts Scripture! The “messages” may come “psychologically” from within one’s own mind, (or, even worse from demons), but they are not from God if it contradicts God’s Word!

Hindson:

2. Liars. Some false prophets are deliberate liars who have no intention of telling the truth. The apostle John says, “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the anti-christ – he denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22).

Now, admittedly, deliberate liars are easier to spot. However, sometimes the lie is so subtle, that even Christians can be fooled if they don’t have a firm foundation in the truth of the Bible. Notice in Ed Hindson’s second definition of a true prophet, he states:

2. [A true prophet] must have a message that is in accord with God’s revealed truth in Scripture.

God’s revealed truth in Scripture is the operative phrase. Anyone can read, study and even teach from the Bible. But if their ideology does not match up with God’s revealed truth in the Scriptures, then beware! You may be led astray from a false teacher!

Hindson:

3. Heretics. These are those who preach heresy (false doctrine) and divide the church. Of them John said, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us” (1 John 2:19). The apostle Peter said, “There will be false teachers among you. they will secretly introduce destructive heresies….These men blaspheme in matters they do not understand” (2 Peter 2:1, 12).

The phrase, “blaspheme in matters they do not understand” could refer to those under delusion and/or deception. We can all recall several examples of blatantly obvious heretical movements. The Jim Jones cult, the Heaven’s Gate group, and David Koresh. However, there are more subtle groups that would qualify as being called “heretical.”

Hindson:

4. Blasphemers. Those who speak evil of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the people of God, the kingdom of God, and the attributes of God are called blasphemers. Jude calls them godless men who “speak abusively against whatever they do not understand….They are clouds without rain…trees, without fruit….They are wild waves of the sea…wandering stars” (Jude 10,12,13).

However, some examples of “blasphemers” are not always as obvious as the atheists who participated in that debate. The ability to subtly “speak abusively against whatever they do not understand.” can apply to false converts, as well. They are often referred to as “sheep in wolves clothing.”

Hindson:

6. Seducers. Jesus warned that some false prophets will appear with miraculous signs and wonders to seduce or deceive the very elect, “if that were possible” (Mark 13:22). Our Lord’s implication is that spiritual seduction is a very real threat even to believers. This would account for the fact that a few genuine but deceived believers may be found among the cults.

Did you catch that? It bears repeating:

A few genuine but deceived believers may be found among the cults!

Now, I am often accused by gay theology proponents of “being judgmental,” or “displaying hate,” or “not being willing to discuss our differences,” or “not living in harmony with,” or “not being willing to accept that which they are preaching,” or “not being willing to compromise,” etc. I could go on and on, (as one well-known blog is named).

But now, we have an example of someone in the gay christian movement who demonstrates, through his own words, his unwillingness to compromise. Besides, it is not written in the Bible anywhere that we should compromise on any issue regarding the Gospel of Christ!

Here’s Mel White’s “gospel”:

“I will sit down with anyone who comes to the table with certain basic positive assumptions about us: that we are here, millions of us, and have the right to be; that our sexual orientation, too, is a gift from our Creator who is pleased when we accept the gift with gratitude and pride; that on average we live productive and responsible lives; that we are perfectly capable of loving, committed relationships and are as equipped as heterosexuals to have families of our own; that uncounted millions of us are people of faith who serve our faith communities with creativity and commitment and patriotic Americans who serve our nation with courage and with honor; that we don’t seek “special rights” just the rights and protections guaranteed all Americans by the Constitution. Our dignity, our integrity, our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, our unqualified acceptance by our Creator are not up for debate.”

Gcmwatch quote:

(Our bold.) What is there to discuss, when he demands 100% concession from us?

Can you see, now, why groups like the “Equality Riders” cannot possibly reconcile with Bible-based Christian believers? Their leader unequivocally states that in order for us to do so, it would require 100% concession (a.k.a. compromise) to his ideology.

It ain’t gonna happen…people.

Why? Because there will always be a remnant of the faithful who will never compromise God’s Word! That’s why!

Hindson:

7. Reprobates. This term means “disapproved,” “depraved,” or “rejected.” Paul refers to those who have rejected the truth of God and turned to spiritual darkness. Consequently, God has given them over to a “reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28 KJV). They have so deliberately rejected God that they have become “filled with every kind of wickedness” (verse 29). As a result, they are “God-haters” (verse 30), whose behavior is “senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless” (verse 31). These people are so far gone spiritually that they know it and don’t care. In Jesus’ own prophetic message, the Olivet Discourse, He warned, “Watch out that no one deceives you….Many will turn away from the faith….And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people….For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles” (Matthew 24:4, 10, 11,24). Our Lord warned His disciples of the possibility of spiritual seduction by false prophets.

There are different levels of reprobation going on out there. From the most severe kinds of reprobation to the more subtle, and perceived “harmless” type like Mel White’s Equality Riders.

Hindson writes:

The Bible describes Satan as the “father of lies” (John 8:44) and pictures him as the ultimate deceiver. His name means “accuser,” and he is depicted as the accuser of God and His people (Revelation 12:10). he is opposed to God and seeks to alienate people from the truth. He misled the fallen angels (Revelation 12:3,4). He tempts men and women to sin against God’s laws (Genesis 3:1-13; 1 Timothy 6:9). He denies and rejects the truth of God and deceives those who perish without God (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Ultimately, he inspires the false prophets and the very spirit of Antichrist (1 John 2:18-23).

The Bible clearly warns us that in the last days people will “abandon the faith and follow deceiving [‘seducing,’ KJV] spirits and things [‘doctrine,’ KJV] taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). These false teachings will come through hypocritical liars whose minds have been captured by Satan’s lies (1 Timothy 4:2).

Thus, the process of spiritual deception is clearly outlined in Scripture:

The term angel (Greek angelos) means “messenger.” God’s angels are His divine messengers (Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 1:1), and His true prophets and preachers are called the angels of the churches (Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). By contrast, Satan is pictured as a fallen angel, the leader of other fallen angels, who deceives the world (Revelation 12:9). He is revealed as the ultimate power behind the Antichrist and the False Prophet who deceives mankind with false religion (Revelation 13:14, 15). Thus, the messengers (angels) of deceit are Satan-inspired false prophets and teachers whose messages are the very spirit of Antichrist.

A century ago, A.T. Pierson, the Bible teacher who often spoke for Charles Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, wrote,

“Evil spirits acquire their greatest power from their subtlety. They are masters of the art of deception, and aim to counterfeit that which is good rather than suggest what is obviously and wholly evil.

A Christian friend once wrote something that was quite simple, but extremely profound (paraphrased below)!

“The greatest deception is not believing that we can be deceived.”

So, as Christian believers, how can we be guaranteed not to fall into deception?

1. The first step, of course, is through repentance for all sin and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior over our lives.

2. The second step is to read and study Scripture; but the most important point in this second step is what Dr. Hindson stated, “we must have a message that is in accord with God’s revealed truth in Scripture.”

3. This leads to the third step. It is knowing and recognizing the seven categories (discussed above) and the types of people who could lead one into spiritual deception and delusion.

Hindson shares why we must be spiritually discerning:

The lure of false doctrine is that it presents itself as the truth. It appears as a corrective measure to established doctrine. It is propagated by those who are certain they have discovered some new revelation of truth or a better interpretation of old, established truth. Either way, they are convinced they are right and everyone else is wrong.

This is Satan’s oldest trick. He appeals to our self-conceit and leads us into self-deceit. When he first approached Eve, Satan questioned the integrity of God’s command and appealed to her selfish desire to be like God – the same desire that led to his own fall. And there is something selfish enough in all of us to want to believe that we can know what no one else knows. C.S. Lewis said,

“What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could “be like gods.”…Out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we can call human history…the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

Today, the seduction is even more subtle than Hindson states here (IMHO). We could take one line from above and add to it:

“Either way, they are convinced they are right and everyone else is “intolerant,” or “hateful,” or “uncompromising,” or “out of harmony with,” or, as Mel White stated above regarding his non-biblical view that ‘that our sexual orientation, too, is a gift from our Creator who is pleased when we accept the gift with gratitude and pride,’ and ‘our unqualified acceptance by our Creator are not up for debate.’ “

In the second post on this topic, I will cover warnings that once spiritual deception sets in, it leads, ultimately, to spiritual darkness.

Some thoughts to preview:

1. Pride and arrogance are the sins that lead a person to become spiritually deceived.

2. Satan tempts us with our own self-centeredness and lures us into spiritual darkness with the bait of our own pride. The Bible calls this the “pride of life” (1 John 2:16 KJV).

3. Having been hooked by our arrogance, we are reeled in by our ignorance.

I know. All of this is so devastating and heart-breaking to read. However, there is hope!! It is found in none other than Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible. Anyone can come out of spiritual deception and darkness! It’s happening every single day!!

I sincerely believe that some people just don’t even realize that they are being deceived. Others, however, know it full well. But for those who may be currently studying under any number of ‘sincere’ preachers who have gotten off the theological track because they don’t know enough theology to realize their errors, you can give them a “test” to see if they are worthy to be in the mission of preaching the Gospel message of Christ.

Just ask them if they are willing to be checked, according to the absolute truth of God’s Word, on the accuracy of a certain doctrine, point, sermon or message that they have preached.

As my pastor has told us several times, he is only human and can make mistakes. That is why our “plumb line” to stay on track when it comes to sharing the gospel and God’s Word, is to stay true to it (utilizing the proper apologetics tools of exegesis, hermeneutics, Sola Scriptura, and Scripture interprets Scripture), to the best of our ability.

If a preacher or leader says that they are not willing to do this, (and/or are also not willing to back up what they have said with Scripture) that could be a good indication that they may be in danger of being off of the proper theological track.

Bottom line? My faith has to be anchored in the truth if it is going to do me, and others, any good. The same is true for you!

In the next section, Hindson mentions that “once theological error falls into ‘ecclesiastical cement’ it is virtually impossible to eliminate it.”

Once a false doctrine is accepted, it can be organized and perpetuated by a religious body, then perpetrated by a false defense (apologetic) which is based upon a false premise. It is then when we see such groups fall down that slippery slope as they accept false doctrine [no matter how much biblical Scriptural truth has been shown to them and has exposed their error(s)] as their “new truth.” They can organize it, categorize it, debate it, systemize it, teach it, and/or demand it; but that doesn’t make it true!!

When it comes to false teachers, the real problem is that the love of their own, skewed, erroneous teaching may drive them to the point where they will refuse to repent of it, even when their error is exposed!

The Bible says, “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:18).

Quotations Source: Antichrist Rising by Ed Hindson Copyright 2003 Ed Hindson; Published by 21st Century Press, Springfield, Missouri U.S.A. pp. 40-48 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever or stored in any database or retrieval system without written permission except in the case of brief quotations used in critical articles and reviews.

SOGTrueBeliever 1 year ago (edited)
We were created for Eden a perfect world with easy communion between us and God. Due to the effects of sin both us and the earth have fallen but God is in the process of restoring us and he will bring us back to Eden when we meet him in the new heaven and earth. Our True home with him is more magnificent and glorious than we can comprehend!

Amen!

*******

Note: Some events are complete hoaxes. Others are more accurately labeled and described as “false flag events.” The link below explains in detail. I have included an excerpt.

What exactly is a false flag, why is it called false flag? The term false-flag is a naval term from the age of sail that refers to a ship flying the colors (flag) of a country other than the one the ship belonged. This was done for multiple reasons but a common one was to lure an enemy vessel into gun or boarding range and then at the last moment drop the false flag and run up the true colors before attacking. It was fair sport to use false flags but considered immoral/unethical to attack under one. To the point that it was never done. But that was a different age…

The simplest definition of a false-flag is an event in which the actual perpetrators and the reported or blamed perpetrators are different. The classic use of a false-flag, and hence the military origin of it’s name, goes as follows. Country A’s King wants to conquer and loot Country B’s land to enrich himself. Of course if this is what King A tells his army they may choose not to fight or revolt. Or best case their effort will be lacking. In order to get the most out of their soldiers, the commanders need them to be emotionally involved… anger, hatred, revenge. Now the skilled orator and manipulator might be able to create this mood with just words. But not many have this level of skill. It is much easier to motivate and/or raise an army if one’s country has been attacked, hence you are acting in defense. And this is where the false flag comes in. Country A’s King and its top General(s) conspire to launch an attack against itself, claiming that the attackers were from Country B. The attack needs to be big enough to create real panic and fear, and for maximum affect there needs to be real deaths. The attackers need be convincing in their role as soldiers of Country B, so clothes, uniform, weapons need to match appropriately. The likely hood of success of the attack is high since it would be unexpected or a surprise attack. Even if the attack were to technically fail, the fact alone of an attack might be enough to manipulate a response. King A could use men from within to execute the attack, or it might be better to use mercenaries. Regardless, a successful attack will incense the populace against the ‘evil’ Country B, and therefor justify an invasion.

The above is just one example, or a classic example of a false-flag. However, it is very important to understand that the false-flag event can take on countless forms. I recently read a comment where the commentator stated that because actual people died it was not a false-flag. The defining characteristic of a false-flag is not it’s specific type or whether or not non-actors died, or even if the event occurred at all, meaning the entire reported event is a fabrication. One defining characteristic is that the real perpetrator is never known or revealed. So the author or director/producer of the ‘production’ is unknown. The audience’s attention is locked on the stage, the villain, clearly identified through the official narrative, is known. But who are behind the curtains? When a staged play is sold as real then the actors become irrelevant, what is important is who are the Producers! Who are the people that wrote, directed, and funded the event? These are the real perpetrators, not the actors on the stage. Cui Bono?… Who Benefits?

The other defining characteristic is that the event is a catalyst for the true objectives. Thus the false-flag uses the classic Hegelian dialectic of Problem-Reaction-Solution. From the example above, the surprise attack is the ‘problem’ (a threat to personal safety), the population’s anger, fear, concern is the desired ‘reaction’, and the ‘solution’ is to invade the offender to eliminate the threat which is enabled by the populations reaction. The false-flag then is a deliberately created illusion whose purpose is create the environment in which the objective or ‘solution’ will be accepted and thus implemented.

Why use False-Flags?

As explained in the previous section the classic false-flag was used to justify an invasion of another country. But there are numerous motivations for using false-flags. Thus the false-flag event has been used throughout history to initiate change. Problem-Reaction-Solution. If the change that the leader(s) want is not going to be wanted or accepted by the population then the false-flag is an excellent tool in order enact said change. So the false-flag is a tool of manipulation(deception) to direct the opinions and actions of the populace. This problem-reaction-solution model of the false-flag is but one tool of the social engineers who are directing the actors on the world stage. While the audience, the 99.9% of the world, much more than just mere spectators, are directly affected by these ‘engineers’ from the moment of their birth until the time of their passing. They (we) are actually unknowing-unwilling participants in the machinations of the .1%.

Talk Wisdom reports – you decide.

Hat tips to all links.

You might be led to despair after seeing and reading about all of this! But take heart! Jesus Christ has overcome the world!

Rom 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, [fn] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Rom 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

Rom 8:4

that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Rom 8:5

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Rom 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 8:7

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Rom 8:8

So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Rom 8:10

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Rom 8:12

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

Rom 8:13

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Rom 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Rom 8:15

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Rom 8:16

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Rom 8:17

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Rom 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Rom 8:19

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Rom 8:20

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

Rom 8:21

because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Rom 8:22

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Rom 8:23

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Rom 8:24

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

Rom 8:25

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Rom 8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us [fn] with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:27

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Rom 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Rom 8:29

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 8:30

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Rom 8:31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Rom 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Rom 8:33

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Rom 8:34

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Rom 8:35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:36

As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” [fn]

Rom 8:37

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Luke 11 is a chapter that informs us of what Jesus taught during His ministry on earth. But of course there were non-believers who tried to twist his good work and make the false claims that his miracles were of the devil. This chapter also demonstrates what the world is like today. There are several parts that can be discussed, so here is a brief comment about what is contained within the chapter:

In this chapter,

I. Christ teaches his disciples to pray, and quickens and encourages them to be frequent, instant, and urgent in prayer (v. 1-13).

II. He fully answers the blasphemous imputation of the Pharisees, who charged him with casting out devils by virtue of a compact and confederacy with Beelzebub, the prince of the devils, and shows the absurdity and wickedness of it (v. 14-26).

III. He shows the honor of obedient disciples to be greater than that of his own mother (v. 27, 28).

IV. He upbraids the men of that generation for their infidelity and obstinacy, notwithstanding all the means of conviction offered to them (v. 29-36).

V. He severely reproves the Pharisees and consciences of those that submitted to them, and their hating and persecuting those that witnessed against their wickedness (v. 37-54).

That last one where Jesus ‘severely reproves the Pharisees and the consciences of those that followed the ways of that group, leads them to hate and persecute those that witnessed against their wickedness’ is a portrait of what had happened then, and what is also happening even today in the current culture wars.

Let’s see how we can apply this towards today’s culture.

1. The wickedness of death to babies in the womb is turned (by the far leftists) into a hatred and persecution against Christians who value life and speak up in protest that murdering an unborn child in the womb is an egregious sin and breaks the commandment, “Thou shalt not murder.” Yet, the proponents of abortion spout twisted lies about “a woman’s right to choose” and “the right for a woman to rule her own body” as excuses to condone such evil practice. My choice in this? Choose life – your mother did!

2. The wickedness of sexual sin, in all of its lustful forms and manifestations, including adultery, porn, pedophilia, pederasty, rape, homosexuality and trans-genderism. God made us male and female. He created marriage as the union of one man and one woman. All of the re-defining that evil people want to embrace does not change God’s mind on this issue! Therefore, the Christians who stand by their convictions on moral matters are attacked with hatred and persecution. Why? Because we witness against their wickedness.

3. The wickedness of lies, greed, political totalitarianism and persecutions (in all its forms and “isms”) – I could go on and on – all fall under the same category of hatred and persecution being spewed against Christians because of their steadfast faith. Why? Because we witness against their wickedness.

Jesus encourages his listeners when he says:

Luk 11:9

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Luk 11:10

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

But in Luke 11:13 he tells us that we are all evil!

Luk 11:13

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

That is true!

Before conversion through Christ’s saving grace at the cross, we then, being evil still know how to give good gifts to our children. But the more important point to realize is “how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

There we have it!

Conversion through Christ is the ONLY WAY to escape the coming judgment that we all would deserve! If it were not for Jesus’ death on the cross for our sakes in order to gain the forgiveness of our sins and be reconciled back unto God, we would be unable to enter into the kingdom of heaven!

I really enjoy reading the commentaries of the masters via the Blue Letter Bible website. Matthew Henry has a long commentary on Luke 11, but the following encapsulation is the pertinent portion that I would like to include and apply within this post.

But, when Christ cast out devils, he needed not do it by any compact with them, for he was stronger than they, and could do it by force, and did it so as to ruin Satan’s power and blast his great design by that doctrine and that grace which break the power of sin, and so rout Satan’s main body, take from him all his armour, and divide his spoils, which no one devil ever did to another or ever will. Now this is applicable to Christ’s victories over Satan both in the world and in the hearts of particular persons, by that power which went along with the preaching of his gospel, and does still. And so we may observe here,

(1.) The miserable condition of an unconverted sinner. In his heart, which was fitted to be a habitation of God, the devil has his palace; and all the powers and the faculties of the soul, being employed by him in the service of sin, are his goods.

Note, [1.] The heart of every unconverted sinner is the devil’s palace, where he resides and where he rules; he works in the children of disobedience. The heart is a palace, a noble dwelling; but the unsanctified heart is the devil’s palace. His will is obeyed, his interests are served, and the militia is in his hands; he usurps the throne in the soul.
[2.] The devil, as a strong man armed, keeps this palace, does all he can to secure it to himself, and to fortify it against Christ. All the prejudices with which he hardens men’s hearts against truth and holiness are the strong-holds which he erects for the keeping of his palace; this palace is his garrison.
[3.] There is a kind of peace in the palace of an unconverted soul, while the devil, as a strong man armed, keeps it. The sinner has a good opinion of himself, is very secure and merry, has no doubt concerning the goodness of his state nor any dread of the judgment to come; he flatters himself in his own eyes, and cries peace to himself. Before Christ appeared, all was quiet, because all went one way; but the preaching of the gospel disturbed the peace of the devil’s palace.

(2.) The wonderful change that is made in conversion, which is Christ’s victory over this usurper. Satan is a strong man armed; but our Lord Jesus is stronger than he, as God, as Mediator. If we speak of strength, he is strong: more are with us than against us. Observe,

[1.] The manner of this victory: He comes upon him by surprise, when his goods are in peace and the devil thinks it is all his own for ever, and overcomes him. Note, The conversion of a soul to God is Christ’s victory over the devil and his power in that soul, restoring the soul to its liberty, and recovering his own interest in it and dominion over it.
[2.] The evidences of this victory. First, He takes from him all his armour wherein he trusted. The devil is a confident adversary; he trusts to his armour, as Pharaoh to his rivers (Eze. 29:3): but Christ disarms him. When the power of sin and corruption in the soul is broken, when the mistakes are rectified, the eyes opened, the heart humbled and changed, and made serious and spiritual, then Satan’s armour is taken away.
Secondly, He divides the spoils; he takes possession of them for himself. All the endowments of mind and body, the estate, power, interest, which before were made use of in the service of sin and Satan, are now converted to Christ’s service and employed for him; yet this is not all; he makes a distribution of them among his followers, and, and having conquered Satan, gives to all believers the benefit of that victory. Hence Christ infers that, since the whole drift of his doctrine and miracles was to break the power of the devil, that great enemy of mankind, it was the duty of all to join with him and to follow his guidance, to receive his gospel and come heartily into the interests of it; for otherwise they would justly be reckoned as siding with the enemy (v. 23): He that is not with me is against me. Those therefore who rejected the doctrine of Christ, and slighted his miracles, were looked upon as adversaries to him, and in the devil’s interest.

One of the most important paragraphs to remember in the above quoted commentary, is this piece of Godly wisdom:

Note, The conversion of a soul to God is Christ’s victory over the devil and his power in that soul, restoring the soul to its liberty, and recovering his own interest in it and dominion over it.

Christ’s victory over the devil and his power in that soul is the entire purpose of salvation!

It’s about restoring the soul of individuals to its liberty!

It’s about each individual agreeing to have God recover His own interest in it (our souls) and dominion over it (each of our individual souls)!

We have learned how great the battle is between the forces of good and evil in this world. One only needs to listen to the news for just one day to see how those under Satan’s control are raging!

Only Christ provides the means by which we can gain forgiveness of our sins, and thus reconciliation of each sinful man back unto our Holy and Righteous God!

Satan will continue to rage against the plan of salvation. As Matthew Henry chillingly stated in his commentary:

[1.] The heart of every unconverted sinner is the devil’s palace, where he resides and where he rules; he works in the children of disobedience. The heart is a palace, a noble dwelling; but the unsanctified heart is the devil’s palace. His will is obeyed, his interests are served, and the militia is in his hands; he usurps the throne in the soul.

All the endowments of mind and body, the estate, power, interest, which before were made use of in the service of sin and Satan, are now converted to Christ’s service and employed for him; yet this is not all; he makes a distribution of them among his followers, and, and having conquered Satan, gives to all believers the benefit of that victory. Hence Christ infers that, since the whole drift of his doctrine and miracles was to break the power of the devil, that great enemy of mankind, it was the duty of all to join with him and to follow his guidance, to receive his gospel and come heartily into the interests of it; for otherwise they would justly be reckoned as siding with the enemy (v. 23): He that is not with me is against me. Those therefore who rejected the doctrine of Christ, and slighted his miracles, were looked upon as adversaries to him, and in the devil’s interest.

Fellow believers – be encouraged by the words of Jesus:

Luk 11:33

“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.

Luk 11:34

“The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Luk 11:35

“Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.

Luk 11:36

“If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”

As a true believer in Jesus Christ, our Savior, Lord and King, the prophecies already fulfilled by Him as well as the promises in His Word that will eventually come to fruition, give me the greatest hope, comfort, joy, and peace. One day, Christ will come back and right all the wrongs that have been suffered here in this fallen world.

Because Christ has overcome the consequences of evil, sin and death, we can claim that He has overcome the world.

Jhn 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will [fn] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

1Jo 4:4

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1Jo 5:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our [fn] faith.

Unredeemed man’s inclination is to fear God. Some may claim to hate God. Others, just claim that He doesn’t even exist. Because we have been given free will, to those who reject God’s provision for redemption, He says, “so be it.”

One day, each of us will come face to face with Jesus Christ. The Book of Life will be opened, and each of us will appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ (for believers whose sin has been covered by the blood of Christ and where rewards are given) or at The Great White Throne Judgment (where non-believers not saved by the blood of Christ at the cross will discover their eternal fate.)

People often scoff at the notion that Christ will one day return. They wonder why over 2 thousand years have passed, and still He has not returned. Well, it might be because to God, a thousand years is as a day, and a day is as a thousand years. God’s timing is not our own. There are reasons why Christ’s return appears eminent, but it is not going to happen until all that has been prophesied comes to fruition. The signs of the times certainly tell us that we are ever closer to His return.

2Pe 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, [fn] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Rev 20:4

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a [fn] thousand years.

Last evening, I finally convinced my husband to watch the docudrama “Four Blood Moons.” He loved it! In fact, he wants to view it again!

He now understands why I wanted to see it over and over again. There is so much to take in that additional viewings of the movie help one to better understand the history, Scripture, and science behind the phenomenon of the appearance of four blood moons (called a tetrad) during Jewish feast days. The fact that remarkable scientific events concerning the people and nation of Israel throughout history, as well as the fulfillment of prophecy in Scripture, all combine to indicate that these are signs we should be aware of and pay attention to during the current tetrad that will be completed on September 28th – the date of the Jewish feast of Sukkot.

We have seen huge changes in our nation and across the world (especially when it comes to Israel and the threats she faces) over the course of the current blood moon tetrad. Is that just a coincidence? I don’t think so.

Last night was my fourth viewing of this film. Each time I see it, I pick up additional information that is not only educational, but also fascinating!

Wring your hands in the dead of night
When the moon is black and the stars don’t shine
Pace the floor when the wind blows cold
You feel it piercing your weary soul
Go on and cry your tears
But when the morning sun appears

Don’t weep no more
Gabriel’s standing up to sound his horn
Don’t weep no more
I see the coming of the Lord

Like a thief at night, the Lord will come
And He’ll set right all the wrong been done
The lonely widow, the orphaned child
Will find their rest in a little while
More than blessed are the weak
For you will get what you seek

Don’t weep no more
Gabriel’s standing up to sound his horn
Don’t weep no more
I see the coming of the Lord

On a white horse
With a sharp sword
I see the coming of the Lord
Where the Lion’s roar
Opened heaven’s door
I see the coming of the Lord

Don’t weep no more
Cause Gabriel’s standing up to sound his horn
Don’t weep no more
I see the coming of the Lord

Like a thief at night, the Lord will come
And He’ll set right all the wrong been done

I see the coming of the Lord
The lonely widow, the orphaned child
Will find their rest in a little while

I see the coming of the Lord
I said I see the coming of the Lord.
I see the coming of the Lord.

Sadly, I have seen several Christian bloggers choose to discontinue posting at their blogs. I can certainly understand why. The evil, sin, hatred towards Christians and Jews and awful deaths done by the radical Islamic terrorists in the world has increased exponentially over the past 6+ years! Such things can be difficult to deal with on a daily basis. Most of us would rather shut our T.V.’s off and also ignore the bad news given every day via the internet. After all, it’s more fun just to play video games, post on social media, and text to our friends on our iPhones!

After being a cricket chirping in the reeds for years, this is the 1,000th chirp from the Muddy Streams swampland, and quite possibly the last. We could write and read and talk about the muddy streams of spiritual convergence all day, but there are more important things to do. Can you hear the winds of change blowing in the reeds? A storm is coming, it’s time to get ready.

Get Right With God . . .

There are two videos there. The second one entitled, “The Only Hope in the Coming Storm” is quite sobering…to say the least! However, it ends with a powerful message for the Church of Jesus Christ in what can seem to be alerting us and reminding us that we are closer to the end times with each passing day. I read comment sections where people fear that the U.S. might be approaching its final hour.

However, we are told in Scripture that we do not know the day nor hour when Christ will come for His own and whisk us away from this fallen world. We know that Christ’s kingdom is NOT OF THIS WORLD. He has specifically told us this in the Bible.

Jhn 8:23

And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

Jhn 18:36

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

However, He has given all of us “assignments” – if you will – in this world; and we are to remain faithful until He brings all to the completion that we so desire!

Jesus provides many Scriptures of comfort for us. Among them are:

Jhn 11:9

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. [italics mine]

Jhn 11:10

“But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

He gives us Scriptures of warning:

1Jo 4:3

and every spirit that does not confess that [fn] Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Rom 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

And, He gives us Scriptures of encouragement and blessing, like those in 1 John 4!

Below are just a few of the verses from that chapter, but the entire chapter (link above) describes God’s love towards us perfectly and how we are to continue our work until the day of redemption.

1Jo 4:2

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

1Jo 4:4

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1Jo 4:6

We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

1Jo 4:9

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

1Jo 4:10

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1Jo 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

My comment over at Muddy Streams is still awaiting moderation, but wanted to share it here.

I hope that you will change your mind and continue your excellent blogging!

I know it can be taxing – especially when so much evil, sin, and death is happening at such a higher rate than ever before! Sometimes it helps to take a week off (like I recently did) and come back refreshed to continue posting the TRUTH.

People NEED to hear and read the TRUTH of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they need to be reminded of what God’s Word – the Bible says!

As bloggers, we have no idea how many people may have been blessed by our online work for the Lord. Perhaps we will learn of this in the future in heaven?

In a previous post, I shared an excerpt and link to Joel C. Rosenberg’s blog post which discussed the significance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech occurring on the day before the Jewish holiday of Purim. Purim is a celebration of when a brave woman named Esther risked not only disfavor, but death, when she decided to approach the king and make her requests known. She did this in order to expose the murderous plan of Haman and ask for protection for the Jewish people that Haman planned to slaughter.

In 25 years living in or near the nation’s capital, I have never actually been to a Joint Session of Congress. But if there was ever a speech I wanted to hear, it was this one.

I wish you could have been there with me. It was so fascinating — and so humbling — to be in the House Chamber as the Prime Minister of Israel arrived to thunderous and continuous applause.

As I listened to him speak, I felt I was witnessing history being made, as if Winston Churchill himself were personally warning us of the gathering storm.

On the eve of Purim, the Jewish holiday remembering the Biblical book of Esther and the Persian plot to annihilate the Jewish people 2,500 years ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned the world of a new Persian/Iranian threat to Israel and the world. He made it clear how dangerous this Iran deal is, and Iran’s repeated threats to annihilate Israel and the U.S., and why we need to work together to stop Iran, not help them get The Bomb. [To read the transcript of the speech, please click here]

It was electric in that chamber. One standing ovation after another. From Democrats and Republicans. Liberals and conservatives. Young and old. Rabbis and pastors. There was such a sense of unity and warmth and bipartisanship. It was so rare, and so refreshing — I’ve never experienced anything else like it in the political realm! [To watch the video of the speech, please click here].

Today, I listened to a segment of Glenn Beck’s show on The Blaze website, and I thought that it was important for my Christian friends to read about what many in the press “will not talk about.” There is also a complimentary audio clip at link below.

Glenn Beck on Friday weighed in on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent speech to Congress, saying “no one will talk about” the spiritual element of his remarks.

“This is really critically important, and I’m not surprised that nobody in the media picked this up,” Beck said. “This is something that we predicted, that I said in advance. I said he’s coming the week the Jews remember Esther. So everybody was focused on ‘Oh, he’s coming for the elections that are happening in two months.’ No, he’s not. He picked this week because this is the week that the Jews remember what happened to Esther.”

“If you don’t know the story of Esther, it’s really quite critical here,” Beck added. “Esther was a queen in Persia, and the king was somebody who was being misled by a guy named Haman. Haman was going to kill all the Jews, and the king was going to allow it to happen.”

Mordecai went to Esther and told her to speak to the king, even though those who approached the king without being summoned could be killed. Mordecai told Esther she was born for a time such as this, and added that there would be deliverance for the Jews, but the king’s people may not survive if he allowed the slaughter to occur. In Netanyahu’s speech, he referenced the book of Esther and said Jews today face the same threat from “yet another Persian potentate,” Iran.

“I think we are Esther, and he was saying clearly to the American people – that you were born [for times such as this],” Beck said. “He didn’t say this, but this is what he was implying: ‘You as a nation may not stand if you don’t side with the Jewish people today. God’s commandments will tell you that. If you side with the Jew, you will survive. If you don’t, you will not survive.’ So he was coming to us, without ever saying it, just in timing, saying: ‘You’ve got to stand up. We need America by our side. But more importantly, you need the Jewish people by your side.’”

“No one will talk about this. That is the key to this speech, because he was speaking to us in spiritual terms,” Beck concluded. “Wake up, America. You are going to lose your place in the world if you don’t stand with the Jewish people. You are Esther.’”

Perhaps the news media did not pick up on this important spiritual element within Netanyahu’s speech, but at least there are bloggers out their sharing this information!

Have you shared this vitally important observation and topic at your blog? Please post a comment and I will add a link to your post here!

Thank you and God bless!

~ Christine

*******

UPDATE! I found another blog that discusses this topic and the author goes even further into biblical prophecy!

This week, Saudi Arabia declared Obama to be one of the worst American Presidents — ever! We should not ignore the importance of this. It is not because Obama is working to weaken Israel. Saudi Arabia shares that goal. The significance is that Obama considers Iran an ally. This means, even though he is working to undermine Israel, Obama is an enemy of Saudi Arabia. But this is not readily apparent — unless you understand Islam and Islamic prophecy. You see, Islamic prophecy says that Mecca will be destroyed right before the end times (this link is from an Islamic site and explains these prophecies). Iran is seeking to destroy Saudi Arabia because the Shi’a Muslims in Iran consider the Sunni Muslims in Saudi Arabia to be apostate. The Iranians also believe they can hasten the return of their Mahdi by destroying Mecca. If I were you, I would watch for this to happen — not just because Islam is divided and at war with itself, but because this is exactly what the Bible foretells.

My television DVR is set to record the Jack Van Impe program on the Daystar network. Last night, I had the time to view the Saturday, February 21, 2015 episode and it was one of the best I’ve ever seen!

Each program from this ministry is generally very enlightening and educational. I don’t think that there is anyone in ministry today who has the ability to discern the signs of the times and relate today’s news to the warnings in the Bible (and Bible prophecy) better than Dr. Van Impe. He always backs up his claims with Scripture! THAT is THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect of Christian Apologetics and teaching!

SOUND DOCTRINE is so IMPORTANT these days because there are many who are GUILTY of preaching a false gospel; and thus are drifting away (and taking others with them!) from the true faith and gospel of Jesus Christ! Dr. Van Impe isn’t talking to non-believers here, he is talking to Christians! At least he is using the admonition to “rightly divide the Word of truth.”

2Ti 2:15

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Notice that verse in 2 Timothy says to be a WORKER who does not need to be ashamed! And WORKERS for Christ are born-again, Bible-based believers! As WORKERS, we are to “rightly divide the word of truth!” Those who do not – are guilty of heresy and apostasy!

You will notice that Dr. Van Impe talks to EVERY denomination of Christianity – including Catholics! In past videos, he has shown much admiration for Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict. However, he has doubts about the Jesuit priest who became Pope Francis, and he points out this pope’s errors in this video!

Dr. Van Impe also calls out the evangelicals who are not “rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Have you ever listened to an honest song of grief and lament which can turn your heart back to joy? That is what I have found via the lyrics and redemptive message of “Torn” from Tenth Avenue North – a Contemporary Christian band. Do you know someone who might desperately need to hear this song’s message?

That is what happened to me during an hour and a half drive home last night. I have heard this song played many times (it’s in the WOW 2014 Greatest Hits CD), but one person – in particular – came to mind and I wanted to share it with him. But after going to the You tube site and seeing the 3,127,990 views of this video, I realized that there are probably hundreds of thousands who could benefit from hearing this song and understanding the lyrics pointing towards redemption of those with hurt lives and lost souls.

I have found that many people do not want to even talk about all of the evil, carnage, despair, and fear that is occurring these days here in America, and even more so all around the world.

Those who are willing to discuss what is happening as we catapult closer to the end times are often fellow Christians who know that “we are not of this world” and one day, the pain and suffering will end.

Those of us who have been redeemed by grace through faith – because of the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ at the cross of Calvary – know that Jesus’ resurrection from the grave has provided proof of the hope and promise of salvation. Therefore, it is up to us to spread the Gospel message to those who are still under the grip of the evil one.

In the Book of Revelation, we get a description of one of the 7 churches; the church at Sardis:

Rev 3:1

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Rev 3:2

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. [fn]
Rev 3:3

“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Rev 3:4

“You [fn] have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Within the church at Sardis, there were “tares” among the wheat of the saved. Today, there are some who think that they are saved because they attend church. But John wrote what “the Spirit says to the churches” on Patmos, and noted that some at the church of Sardis were dead. Others, were alive and told that “he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I [Jesus] will not blog out his name from the Book of Life.”

Rev 3:5

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Jesus also said (through John’s writings) that, “I [He] will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

So you see, there is no redemption without Christ!

Rev 3:6

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

Jhn 3:3

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jhn 3:7

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

There are many great comments at the You tube site – real people whose grief/depression/struggles/deadness inside turned hearts previously torn and worn into mended souls!

Here are a few:

Tabitha Brooke 3 months ago

I love Tenth Avenue North and I can basically say this song saved my life. In 2013, I was depressed to the point I felt life didn’t have a purpose anymore. I was driving around at night, completely and utterly hopeless, flipping through the radio when this song played and I broke down and cried and it was like a hug from God and I listened to the words of this song and how closely they matched how I felt and let me tell you…redemption won, the struggle ended and God mended my heart. The song rose from the ashes of my broken heart and all that was dead inside was reborn and I am no longer worn. Thank you, Lord.

Aaron Bostelman

20 minutes ago

I used to think that Suicide was the answer, and it consumed my life. Parents that called me worthless all my life, drugs, smoking, abuse… All of it for satisfaction, and yet not one bit of it made me completely satisfied as I still had a missing gap in my heart. I too, was driving around in my car after I got the news of my Girlfriend that had killed herself. During an intersection I was hit by a drunk driver. I stepped out of my car covered in blood as well as a broken arm, and I just broke down right there on the spot. I cried so hard wishing I would die. Although I am still an Atheist, I am in fact reading the bible, and the more I read it, the more the gap in my heart is sealed. Just to let you know, you aren’t alone, and you certainly aren’t the person out there that has similar conflicts, Tabitha. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia Scott 2 months ago

My brothers and sisters in Christ:

NEVER GIVE UP HOPE. JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.

This song expresses very real, raw emotions as we go through storms in life. Please listen, especially if you have been fighting through a storm for some time and are worn, let this song renew your strength and remind you Who will get you through the storms of life, especially now as we face more persecution then ever. JESUS CAN MEND A HEART THAT’S FRAIL AND TORN.

America is suffering from the rise of Islamism, but we have also been suffering from the double threat of Islam and Communism! Don’t let the so-called phony and deceptive words like “liberalism, socialism, and progressivism” fool you. All of those aberrant ideologies lead to dictatorships: including communism and totalitarianism. [Millennials and younger – please read an accurate book on World War II]!

If this doesn’t concern you, then you NEED TO WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

Many TV show anchors over at Fox News Channel are asking why this Zero BADministration cannot say that we are at war with RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM! Why is that? Oh – we hear all of the silly reasons why leftists don’t want to “label” all terrorism as “Islamic,” but take a good look at my friend Steve’s blog post which includes a List of Islamic Terror Attacks For the Past 30 Days!!

I have written several comments in the thread over there, but would like to highlight the following exchange:

[Written to blog owner Steve]:

I hope that you were encouraged by the Bible verses that I shared. You have a VERY difficult job addressing people like that liberal blogger who spewed so much venom against you and against all Christians and Conservatives; while they blatantly, and obviously choose to ignore the evil and danger of Islam.

Recall this photo that I had on my blog in the past?

The Bible reveals why groups like communists (a.k.a. liberals, programmed-regressives) and Islamists can fight on same side, and then destroy each other! They are in line with the lies of Satan and his goal here on earth – to steal, destroy, and kill the people of God in order to create some imagined “utopia” that could never exist.

Jesus Himself informs us:

Jhn 10:10

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy

Steve wrote:

Cry and Howl

January 12, 2015 2:29 pm

Christine, you really are too kind. I’m just a regular guy with a multitude of faults. I just cannot stand people who fight to murder unborn children and then fight equally as hard to spare the lives of some of the sickest people guilty of the worse crimes imaginable. Siding with Islamists who will hang or burn alive gay folks … but then attack Christians simply because they disagree with the gay life-style. They are willfully ignorant and arrogant about it.

My reply:

christinewjc

January 13, 2015 10:40 am

Steve, the Lord searches our hearts and looks for those who are willing to fight against evil and fight for the Kingdom of Christ. None of us are perfect – only Jesus is. However, we are called into ministry based upon the spiritual gifts that are given to us. You obviously have a strong heart in fighting for unborn lives and for upholding the sanctity of one man and one woman marriage – that was originally created, sanctioned, and blessed by God.

You are absolutely correct when you wrote

“They are willfully ignorant and arrogant about it.”

When you wrote:

“Siding with Islamists who will hang or burn alive gay folks … but then attack Christians simply because they disagree with the gay life-style.”

You revealed the utter hypocrisy of the programmed-regressives who claim that they represent “progress” (when in reality they are stuck in the old “isms” of the past like communism, Nazism, and totalitarianism) and are proud of their so-called “liberalism” – which is actually the polar opposite of LIBERTY.

That photo I shared in this comment thread was taken at a “world can’t wait” socialist/Islamic anti-Israel rally back in 2004. That sign stating “Thank you S.F. liberals – you die last” being held by an obviously radical (or wannabe) Islamist, walking alongside a red-shirt commie (notice murderer Che Guevara’s likeness on the shirt) marching in one of the homosexual capitals of the world – San Fransicko – represented the dire, onerous, and deadly prediction of what we would be facing in the future (today!) regarding the (as you wrote) “willful ignorance and arrogance” of the far-leftist fanatics who are, unfortunately, now in so many areas of power within our nation. SICKENING!!!

Years ago, I warned people via my former blog (at Bl00ger) that the homosexual political agenda was going to end up attempting to destroy Christian free speech and the right to raise our children as the Bible informs. Today, sexual depravity – in all of it’s forms – are being taught in schools and the legal actions against Christian believers are destroying our rights in parenting, schooling our kids, free speech (even in churches!), freedom of association in businesses run by Christians, the right to believe in traditional man/woman marriage, and the list goes on and on. I never thought that it would go as far as it has – that believing in traditional marriage would be labeled as “hateful.”

Back in Feb. 2014, I was listening to Rush Limbaugh’s radio show. He was discussing this topic. A caller claimed that we should “follow the money” on this issue. Rush, at first, seemed to balk at the idea. Rush’s thinking was similar to ours – the homosexual agenda’s desire is to crush Christian beliefs in the public domain and replace it with humanistic idolatry and perversion. Of course that is true, but the caller takes it even further. It became very clear that gaining money to promote their cause(s) certainly is a motive for these lawsuits! It’s not just all about fighting against “discrimination”. That is the excuse they use in order to thwart religious liberty, while at the same time gain money by winning cases in court. And, what do they do with that money? Continue to spread their propaganda (much of which is equal to communist propagandist goals) to the unsuspecting. This is all under the guise of preventing “discrimination.” Such individuals believe that they are being “kind,” “supporting,” “high minded,” “noble” and magnanimous towards the homosexual community; when all the while such individuals taken into the “collective” don’t know that they have been trapped in satan’s snare and are dragging these unrepentant sinners as well as themselves down into a gutter of eternal doom.

It’s all just one of satan’s biggest lies – after all, Lucifer turned satan had the goal all along to subvert God’s authority and his motive was power in order to get people to “bow down before” him. How sad it is that so many believe this craven and dastardly disguised pro-homosexual agenda lie. They have a veil over their eyes, propaganda instilled into their minds, and an evil trick destroying their hearts, minds, spirits and souls. This particular strategy of darkness is so strong it’s to the point that they can’t even see the deception! Ultimately, if they don’t awake from their stupor, they will lose their chance at redemption.

Despite what the liberal media idiots say, this IS about the religion of Islam. The attacks we saw in Paris are a direct threat against the western world, and they were perpetrated by those who have an extremist Muslim political agenda.

Obama’s ‘Strategy’ Against Radical Islam Nonexistent

Although the liberals don’t want to admit this either, we have no strategy to fight against radical Islam. This was even said by General Jack Keane during his interview on Fox News Friday morning: “they have not defined the enemy in terms of radical Islam.” And we all know it is almost impossible to fight an enemy that you have simply not defined.

Each of these terrible ideologies – both the socialist/commie leftist plague being instilled in our nation as well as the radical Islamic terrorism appeasement being pushed upon us by this BADministration, are all at war against the God of the Bible, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of God; who can transform sinners into redeemed believers in Christ for salvation!

We were so blessed by God at the founding of our nation; precisely because God was worshipped and His Word was shared as THE beacon of truth, liberty, and justice for all! The pressure to send America into the grip of evil over the decades (through the “isms” listed) has gotten far worse over the past 30 years or so. The days of Reagan in the White House were seen by most Americans as such a wonderful era!

I continue to pray for our nation – that it will survive past this awful excuse for a pResident (and his cronies and puppeteers), so that we can begin re-building our beloved United States of America towards what our Founding Fathers created for us – namely – our Constitutional Republic!

First, I would like to say that it has been a long time since I felt happy about the political direction last night’s GOP victories gained for America! To have captured the Senate, 52- (whatever) was a great victory! Booting Harry (who has blocked most House bills from coming up for a vote) Reid out of the Senate will be the first important step in helping the middle class in this nation to be brought back up to the status that they deserve regarding job creation, pay, and hopefully the replacement of Zerocare – which has devastated millions across our beloved nation.

With that said, I want to continue to focus on what my last two posts discussed:

When the “HOUSTON! WE HAVE A PROBLEM” debacle occurred, it FINALLY WOKE UP Christian Pastors not only in the state of Texas, but also across this nation to take a stand and fight for their Christian and biblical values. It has been a LONG TIME COMING for this, but I’m so glad to see pastors across the nation taking action and not allowing the continued outrageous political-landscape suppression and trampling of our God-given and Constitution-affirming rights; namely, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of association!

I received an email this morning about another pastor who previously took a stand for our freedoms back in July. The email came from the Family Research Council (which led the I Stand Sunday rally) and I’d like to share it here at my blog today.

Pastor Robert Dekker of New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware took a stand after city officials denied him a permit to hold church services on the public beach, largely due to their misinterpretation of separation of church and state. What is ironic is that there is a plaque on the beach commemorating the fact that the Rehoboth Beach community was established as a permanent Christian camp.

On July 4th, Pastor Dekker didn’t take “No” for an answer. He went forward with a “Freedom Rally” at the beach featuring music, prayer, and a sermon he preached titled: “Drawing a Line in the Sand,” based on John 8. The celebration also honored our Founding Fathers and the men and women in uniform that know firsthand that freedom is not free.

HT for photo: The Blaze.com

Although they normally would expect to have 20 or 30 people at a beach service, they had several hundred. “Freedom is to be cherished,” Dekker told the crowd. “We are exercising the liberties that happened 237 years ago.”

We honor the courage of Pastor Dekker for exercising his First Amendment freedom. He is indeed a Watchman Pastor. In fact, Pastor Dekker made a commitment to 1) Pray for the nation, 2) Preach the whole counsel of God, and 3) Partner with other like-minded pastors. This simple “P3” commitment by pastors to pray, preach, and partner has the potential to impact our nation in a profound way. Would you draw a line in the sand and stand with Pastor Dekker and thousands like him?

PRAY, PREACH, AND PARTNER in order to impact our nation in a profound way?

CERTAINLY!

This blog has always been dedicated to this goal as you can see from what is written in the header of my title page:

Talk Wisdom

Talk Wisdom’s goal is to defend the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith. We defend our Constitutional Republic and Charters of Freedom, especially when speaking out against destructive social and political issues. As followers of our Savior and Lord, we should boldly stand up for Jesus Christ in our present circumstances. He is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world – now.

The Bible

Click on image for Blue Letter Bible

Proverbs 2:2-5

"Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the LORD, and discover the knowledge of God"

About Christinewjc and this Talk Wisdom blog.

Married for 31 years to my wonderful husband! Two grown adult children and a son-in-law in whom we treasure and enjoy life.

Our family is very close and love to spend time with each other. We share a deep Christian faith, love for the Lord Jesus Christ and love for each other.

I earned a BA in education from Kean University in 1978. I have been studying the Bible for over 22 years and in 2003, upon successful completion of the course of study offered in the MA Lecture Series, earned a Christian Apologetics Certificate from Biola University.

This blog is named "Talk Wisdom" because one of the main purposes of writing here is to share the wisdom of God - the only absolute and true wisdom - that is contained within the Scriptures of the Bible. As a born-again Christian, it is my desire to heed and share Paul's encouragement and warnings in 2 Timothy 3:1-17

2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:17 - that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Talk Wisdom's goal is to defend the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith. We defend our Constitutional Republic and Charters of Freedom, especially when speaking out against destructive social and political issues. As followers of our Savior and Lord, we should boldly stand up for Jesus Christ in our present circumstances. He is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world – now.

A quote to remember!

“We are to be obedient to God and that means we are to fight against sin. Talking about not judging and loving each other does not absolve us from our duty to correct and — if necessary — censure those who refuse to obey God’s laws. If this were the case, then God would have had no reason to even give us a law: He would have just said do not judge, just love and left it at that — but He did not do this. Instead, He told us to obey, and then gave us at least ten commands. If we love each other — Biblical love — then we will do everything we can to help each other keep those commands, not make it easier to break them. After all, how can we claim to love someone if we are in the process of making their path to hell easier to travel?”
~ Black3Actual from Oil For Your Lamp blog

Talk Wisdom's goal is to defend the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith. We defend our Constitutional Republic and Charters of Freedom, especially when speaking out against destructive social and political issues. As followers of our Savior and Lord, we should boldly stand up for Jesus Christ in our present circumstances. He is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world - now.

Faith in Jesus Christ is our response to God's elective purpose in our life. These two truths--God's initiative and man's response--co-exist throughout the Bible. The gospel is "the message of truth" because truth is its predominant characteristic. Salvation was conceived by the God of truth (Ps. 31:5); purchased by the Son, who is the truth (John 14:6); and is applied by the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). To know it is to know the truth that sets men free (John 8:32). Believers are people of the truth (John 18:37), who worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), and who obey the Word of truth (John 17:17). People have rejected, neglected, redefined, and opposed God’s truth for centuries. Some cynically deny that truth even exists or that it can be known by men (John 18:38). Others foolishly think that denying truth will somehow make it go away. Truth determines the validity of one's belief. Believing a lie doesn't make it true. Conversely, failing to believe the truth doesn't make it a lie. The gospel is true because Jesus is true, not simply because Christians believe in Him. His resurrection proved the truth of His claims and constitutes the objective basis of our faith (Rom. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:3). Truth is our protection and strength (Eph. 6:14). Throughout history, people have tried everything imaginable to gain favor with God. Most turn to religion, but religion apart from Christ is merely a satanic counterfeit of the truth. At the heart of every false religion is the notion that man can come to God by any means he chooses--by meditating, doing good deeds, and so on. But Scripture says, "There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). That name is Jesus Christ, and we come to Him by confessing and repenting of our sin, trusting in His atoning death on the cross, and affirming His bodily resurrection from the grave (cf. Rom. 10:9-10). There is no other way to God. False religious leaders and teachers talk much about God’s love, but not His wrath and holiness; much about how deprived of good things people are, but not about their depravity; much about God’s universal fatherhood toward everyone, but not much about his unique fatherhood toward all who believe in His Son; much about what God wants to give to us, but nothing about the necessity of obedience to Him; much about health and happiness, but nothing about holiness and sacrifice. Their message is full of gaps, the greatest of which leaves out a biblical worldview of the saving gospel and replaces it with the worldview of postmodernism with its dominant ethical system of relativism. The Bible describes mankind in the end times: “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). Spiritual answers cannot be deduced by human reason alone (1 Cor. 2:14). It’s not that spiritual truth is irrational or illogical, but that human wisdom is defective, because it’s tainted by man’s sinfulness, and unable to perceive the things of God. That is why the Bible is so important. It gives us the answers we can’t find on our own. It is God’s Word to mankind. Scripture is divinely revealed truth that fills the vacuum of spiritual ignorance in all of us. Post-truth is the word of the year for 2016 and also the philosophy of the day, According to the dictionary, “post-truth” means, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Simply put, we now live in a culture that seems to value experience and emotion more than truth. In a “post-truth” world, people make choices based on emotion and experience rather than objective fact. So in a post-truth world, truth is irrelevant. What exactly is a post-truth culture? It’s a culture where truth is no longer an objective reality. It has become subjective. It’s what’s true for me—my beliefs, my opinions, determine my truth. So in our post-truth culture, man determines truth. Man makes himself the ultimate authority. This starting point, which rejects God’s Word and the idea of moral absolutes, makes truth subjective. Truth will never go away no matter how hard one might wish. Christianity is grounded in objective truth. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Objective truth exists because we have God’s Word. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Thy word is truth” (John 17:17), and Paul and James describe the Bible as “the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). The Psalmist says, “The entirety of your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). Jesus Himself said, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). When Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6), He wasn’t expressing His personal belief or opinion. He was speaking the truth, a fundamental reality that doesn’t change from person to person. It doesn’t matter if our culture thinks all roads lead to God. The truth of the matter is “no one comes to the Father but by [Jesus].” This blogs goal is to, in some small way, put a plug in the broken dam of truth and save as many as possible from the consequences—temporal and eternal. "The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." - George Orwell

"Our threat is from the insidious forces working from within which have already so drastically altered the character of our free institutions — those institutions we proudly called the American way of life. " -- Gen. Douglas MacArthur